Publication Details - Overview

This activity is part of PER's Integrated Oncology Learning Series: A Focus on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

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Continuing Education Information

Physicians' Education Resource is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Physicians' Education Resource designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: The Cutting Edge
Vol. 14, No. 1

1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
Release Date: October 28, 2009
Expiration Date: October 28, 2010

Publication Overview

Authors

Caron A. Jacobson, MD; Jennifer R. Brown, MD, PhD; Stephan Stilgenbauer, MD; Tadeusz Robak, MD; Thorsten Zenz, MD

Overview and Purpose

It has been estimated that approximately 15,000 new cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) will be diagnosed in the United States in 2009. Standard treatment options for CLL have typically included purine analogues and/or alkylating agents, with purine analogue–based combination therapies yielding overall response rates of approximately 60%-95%. Despite the effectiveness of such conventional therapies, the majority of patients with CLL will eventually relapse or develop refractory disease. Over the past decade, significant strides have been made in developing therapies that have improved clinical outcomes for patients with CLL in both the frontline and salvage settings. This progress has occurred largely due to the introduction of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), such as those targeting CD20 or CD52, and their incorporation into existing purine analogue–based chemotherapeutic regimens. More recent advances include the clinical development of new MoAbs targeting novel molecular targets, cytotoxic agents, and other biologic agents for the treatment of patients with CLL. In addition, investigative efforts have focused on identifying and assessing molecular and genetic risk factors for their prognostic and predictive utility in patients with CLL. Of the markers identified, unmutated immunoglobulin variable region heavy chain and deletions in chromosome 17p are considered reliable prognosticators of poor prognosis that might be useful in predicting the natural history of an individual patient with CLL.

The purpose of this activity is to update physicians on prognostic risk factors and emerging treatment strategies for patients with CLL. 

Target Audience

This educational activity is intended for medical oncologists and hematologists involved in the care of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. No specific skills or knowledge other than a basic training in oncology is required for successful participation in this activity.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this educational activity, you should be able to:

  • Assess the prognostic and predictive values of epidemiologic, laboratory, molecular, and genetic risk factors in defining the natural history of CLL
  • Discuss the efficacy and safety of different treatment options in relapsed/refractory CLL
  • Assess the efficacy and safety of next-generation MoAbs in patients with CLL

Instructions for Participation

  1. Read the following information before entering the educational activity.
  2. Complete the Pretest.
  3. Study the educational activity.
  4. Complete the Posttest.
  5. Answer the evaluation questions.
  6. After completion of the Pretest and successful completion of the Posttest and evaluation, you will receive your certificate online.

You will be permitted 2 attempts to successfully complete the Posttest.

CME credit will be granted for only 1 form of participation, either online or via the printed publication.

 

Complete the test(s) and evaluation by October 28, 2010 to receive your certificate online.

Read all of the conditions in the Activity Terms box below. You must accept the CME Activity Terms in order to continue:

Disclosure Policy
It is the policy of Physicians’ Education Resource to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its educational activities. As an organization accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Physicians’ Education Resource requires everyone who is in a position to control the content of an educational activity, including spouses/partners, to disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. The ACCME defines “relevant financial relationships” as financial relationships in any amount occurring within the past 12 months that create a conflict of interest. Physicians’ Education Resource has implemented a mechanism to identify and resolve all conflicts of interest prior to the activity.

Caron A. Jacobson, MD
No relevant relationships to disclose

Jennifer R. Brown, MD, PhD
Research Funding – Celgene Corporation, Genzyme Corporation; Paid Consultant – Calistoga Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Genentech, Inc.

Thorsten Zenz, MD
Research Funding – Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, GlaxoSmithKline, Roche Pharmaceuticals; Paid Consultant – Celgene Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline; Other Remuneration – Celgene Corporation, Roche Pharmaceuticals

Stephan Stilgenbauer, MD
Research Funding – Amgen, Bayer HealthCare AG, Celgene Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline, Mundipharma International Limited, Roche Pharmaceuticals; Paid Consultant – Amgen, Bayer HealthCare AG, Celgene Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline, Mundipharma International Limited, Roche Pharmaceuticals

Tadeusz Robak, MD
Research Funding – F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, GlaxoSmithKline; Paid Consultant – F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, GlaxoSmithKline; Speaker’s Bureau – F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

PER Editorial Staff
No relevant relationships to disclose

This CME activity might include discussion of investigational and/or unlabeled uses of drugs. If the activity includes discussion of investigational and/or unlabeled uses of a drug, specific information is located on the title page. Please refer to the full prescribing information for each drug discussed in this activity for FDA-approved dosing, indications, and warnings.

Commercial Support
An educational grant for this activity was provided by GlaxoSmithKline.

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Banner Illustration
Illustrator: Erin Moore

Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this activity are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsor, supporter, or publisher. Although great care has been taken in compiling and checking the information given in this activity to ensure accuracy, the authors and Physicians’ Education Resource and its servants or agents shall not be responsible or in any way liable for the continued currency of the information or for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in this activity, whether arising from negligence or otherwise howsoever or for any consequences arising therefrom.

Please consult full prescribing information for any drugs or procedures discussed within.

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All rights reserved. No part of this activity may be translated, reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means or in any type of media form including electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording, broadcasting, or otherwise without prior permission from the publisher.

©Copyright 2009 by Physicians’ Education Resource. No material may be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form, without written permission from the publisher.

All correspondence should be directed to:
Editor, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: The Cutting Edge
Physicians’ Education Resource
3500 Maple Ave.
Suite 700
Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: (214) 367-3400
Fax: (214) 367-3304
E-mail: editor@cancerlearning.com

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Educational Grants

An educational grant for this activity was provided by:


  1. GlaxoSmithKline